Attorney general discusses safety with local schools

GREATER LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - State Attorney General Greg Zoeller made a stop in Lafayette Thursday morning to meet with school officials. They discussed efforts to improve school safety.

Zoeller highlighted his support for Senate Bill 1 that is currently moving through the Legislature.

If passed, the bill would provide grants to help schools create or expand school resource officer positions.

Currently, Tippecanoe School Corporation (TSC) has one security resource officer (SRO) position working with students inside the schools.

But Superintendent of TSC Dr. Scott Hanback says as the corporation continues to grow, he believes it's critical to have as many safety resources available as possible.

"TSC covers 437 square miles, two high schools, six middle schools and 11 elementary schools. We serve 12,475 students. We are a large school corporation,” Dr. Hanback said. “It would be wonderful if we had at least two school resource officers.”

"I think SB 1 will most likely pass,” Zoeller said. “It will take a while to develop these programs, there will be a grant application process, so maybe by next year we will have this started. There may be some additional federal funds."